i'm planning to visit friends in china and would like to take along some nice

local silk thingies as gifts. something women mid-30's to mid-40's would

appreciate.

high-quality silk scarves, contemporary colors and patterns, might work.

nothing 'ethnic' -- wouldn't work in the big city, and they have their own

minority dress/patterns in their home villages.

any gift ideas and suggestions as to which shops to visit?

Try Shinawatra Thai Silk Shop on Huey Kaew Road across from Kad Saun Kaew, or Northern Village at Airport Plaza.

Jim Thompson shops have beautiful silk contemporary in everything from scarfs to bathrobes. Some good shirts with their own logos (big in China), as well as home items.

As you seem to be asking about Chiang Mai I would not suggest Jim Thompson as their stores are in Bangkok, but I agree that Shinawatra opposite Kad Suan Keauw is an option. Also there are some very original scarves and other gifting items at Thai Silk Villages on the road to San Khampaeng as well as at the shops opposite The Gallery restaurant on Charoenraj Rd.

Besides Shinawatra, another major higher-end silk shop is Villa Cini.

Vila Cini

If you are on the hunt for silk, head to Villa Cinci. This boutique sells a gorgeous selection of contemporary silk accessories, ranging from ties and cushions to bags. Upstairs silk can be bought by the metre. There's also a Vila Cini in The Mandarin Oriental Shopping Arcade. Top tip: just next door to Vila Cini is Oriental Silk, which is definitely worth a look for its cotton fabrics and teak furniture.

Vila Cini

30 Charoenrat Road

Chiang Mai

Phone: +66 (53) 246246